Extension table



Aug 19, 1941- o. A. BARRETT ET AL 2,253,010

EXTENS ION TABLE @wml su Allg 19, l941- o. A. BARRETT ET AL 2,253,010

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EXTENSION TABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /7 Filed Nov, 16, 1959' V Patented Aug. 19,1941

EXTENSION TABLE Orrin A. Barrett, Manuel Languis, and Thurlow E. McFall, Sparta, Mich., assignors to Michigan Artcraft Company, Sparta, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application November 16, 1939, Serial No. 304,769

8 Claims. (Cl. 311-42) This invention relates to extension tables and is especially designed for use with tables which are supported by a center pedestal, although it may be used equally as well with tables which include a supporting leg at each corner thereof instead. This invention is an improvement over the McFall Patent No. 2,153,262, issued April 4, 1939.

In some instances the center pedestal which supports the table may be provided with outwardly extending legs commonly known as the Duncan Phyfe type in which case, and in order to insure that the length of the table is properly supported by legs of this character, it is necessary to rotate the top through an angle of 90 in its extended position; and it is to be understood that a device of the character described and shown in the copending McFall application Serial No. 304,768 filed November 16, 1939 may beused in conjunction with the elements which go to make up the present invention. Since the rotating feature is not a part of the present invention it need not be explained any more fully at the present time.

One of the features of the present invention is the top member which is composed of but two sections instead of three as disclosed in the above mentioned patent, one of which is adapted to fold upon the other when the table is completely retracted and when it is occupying its smallest amount of space.

Another object and feature of the invention is the provision of means such as lazy tongs whereby, when the table is extended, each of the extensible sections is maintained at all times at an equal distance from the central supporting pedestal.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the table may be extended to a distance equal to twice the width of one of the top sections and may be maintained in that position.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the two sections may be extended still further to permit additional leaves to be inserted between theginner edges of the top sections.

A box structure is provided which is adapted to slide independently ofthe top members and is secured to one of the extensible slide members at each side of the table. When the box is extended initially, the upper top member unfolds and rests thereon.`

Inasmuch as the` upper top section has both faces thereof highly polished in order to present a pleasing appearance when either of its surfaces is exposed, it is necessary to provide means to preventany relative movement between it and the box structure upon which it rests. After the table has been extended initially` and the upper top member is folded over to rest on the extended box frame member, the highly polished surface thereof would be marred or scratched if any relative movement is permitted between the two portions and it is therefore a still further object of the invention to provide means whereby any further extension of the table after it has Abeen initially extended, will move the supporting box simultaneously with the upper top section, the two portions being locked in such a manner as to prevent separate movement thereof.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends said invention, then,` consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and following description set forth in detail certain means and `one mode for carrying out our in1 lntion, said means constituting, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed. Y

In said annexed drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the table in its retracted position taken substantially on the plane of line I-l of Fig. 7.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the frame portion after it has been extended to its initial extended position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the upper top section folded onto its supporting frame and showing the two top sections separated as they will appear just before placing them together.

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 but showing vthe two sections closed together as they appear in use in the initial extended position and is alker substantially on the plane of line 4-4 of Fig. 5 is a section similar to the one previously described but showing the table in its fully extended position with two additional leaves inserted between the top sections and is taken substantially on the plane of line 5--5 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevational view of the table itlwould appear looking toward the right of Fig. 'I is an under plan view of the table in its fully retracted position.

Fig. 8 is an under plan view of the table in its initially extended position, and

Fig. 9 is an under plan view showing the table in its fully extended position with the two additional leaves inserted therein.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the central supporting pedestal is indicated by the numeral I and is provided at its upper end with a substantially square portion 2. At the upper end of the pedestal a. horizontally extending plate 3 is secured thereto and at each side of the pedestal and immediately below the plate 3 the supporting members 4 are located which aid in strengthening the supporting structure.

In order that the box structure and the upper side of the table may be extended but still remain The top member is divided into a lower top section 5 and an upper top section 6. Extending downwardly below and secured to the under side of the lower top section 5 is an end apron 1 which has secured and extending at right angles thereto from each end thereof additional and shorter aprons 8. Each of the aprons 1 and 8 are secured to the under side of the lower top section 5.

The box or framework which acts to support the upper top section when the table is extended, consists of an end apron 9 and two shorter aprons I which extend from the ends .of the apron 9 at right angles thereto and which are adapted to come against the ends of the aprons 8 when the table is in retracted position (Fig. 7). Gusset plates II are placed in the corners of the box structure provided by the aprons 9/and I0 and are secured to such box structure by ,means of the usual smalll triangular blocks I2. It is to be noted particularly that the box structure provided by the aprons Siand I0 is not secured in any way to either of the top sections and 6 but Vis adapted to be moved independently thereof during the initial extension.

lAt the under side of the table the usual extensible slide members are provided. The innermost one of these slide members I3 at each side of the table is secured to the under side of the lower top member 5. The center slide member I4 of each group of slides is secured to the upper side of the horizontal plate 3 at each end thereof. The outer slide vmember I5 of each group of slides is secured to one of the gusset plates II. The intermediate slide members I6 and the one indicated by I6 are of the usual character adapted to be interlocked with each adjacent slide member as clearly shown in Fig.

6; however, itis to be noted that one of these intermediate slide members is somewhat shorter and wider than the other members in each group. This particular slide member is indicated by the numeral I 1 and it extends toward the rear of the table .where `it is secured to the upper top member 6 by means of hinges, each of which is provided with three sections. The short vertical section I8 of each hinge is secured to the edge of the upper top member 6, the lower horizontal section I9 is secured to the wide slide member I1, and the intermediate section hingedly connects the sections I8 and I9 so that when the upper top member is rotated through 180 to its position shown in Fig. 3, the intermediate section 20 will only be moved through 90.

It will therefore be seen that the box portion formed by the aprons 9 and IIl is made rigid by the gusset plates I I and is supported by the outer extensible slide member I5 in each of the groups of slides and may therefore be extended independently of either of the top sections.

at all times at equal distances from the supporting pedestal, a pair of lazy tongs 2l is provided which is secured at its center by any suitable means to the upper side of the horizontal plate 3 as shown, for example, in Fig. 1. y At the inner sides of each of the aprons 1 and 9 and substantially at the center thereof a block 22 is provided to which the ends of the lazy tongs are secured. When the initial extension of the table takes place, one hand of the operator will grasp the under side of the apron 9 which will be pulled toward him, while the other hand will be placed against the edge of the upper top section which will be forced away from him. These points of contact of the hands of the'operator are denoted by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 2. This initial extension moves the box structure provided by the aprons 9 and I0 in one direction while the two top sections 5 and 6, together with the aprons 1 and 8 secured thereto will be moved in an opposite direction, the distance of each being equalized by means of the lazy tongs 2 I.

Each of the extensible slide members I5, I6, I5 and I1 is provided at one end thereof with a small recess 23 which is adapted to receive the outwardly extending pegs 24 provided at one end of each of the adjacent slide members in the closed position thereof so that when the table is retracted to its smallest area, the inward movement of adjacent slide members will be limited so that they will be in horizontal aiinement in this position.

After the table has assumed its initial extended position as shown in Fig. 8 and the upper top member 6 has been unfolded so that it is supported by the box or framework formed by the aprons 9 and I0, it is desirable that when any further extension takes place there will be no relative movement between the topmember 6 and the supporting box structure. In View of the fact that both sides of the top member are highly polished, any relative movement between the top member and the supporting box structure might mar or scratch the` surface thereof. It therefore becomes necessary to provide some means to insure simultaneous movement of the supporting box structure and the top member 6 when any further extension of the table takes place. For this purpose a locking link is provided consisting of an arm 25 and another arm 26. A block 21 is secured to one end at the under side of one of the outer extensible'slide members I5 to which one end of the arm 25 is pivotally secured. Near the center of the wider slide member I1 another block 28 is secured to which one end of the arm 26 is plvoted. The inner end of the arm 25 is then pivotally secured near the other end of the arm 26. A recess 29 is provided near one end of the arm 25 and an extension k3I'i is provided at the outer end of the arm 26 which is adapted to be received in the recess 29 when the links are in aiinement in the extended position of the table.

Upon initially extending the table, the outer slide member I5 moves in one direction with the supporting box structure to which it is attached, while the slide member I1 moves inthe opposite direction. As the two halves of the table are extended farther apart the end of the arm 25 which is secured to the block 21 moves to the position shown in Fig. 8 and rotates the arm 25 in a clockwise direction. During this movement the end of the arm 26 which is pivotally mounted to the block 28 assumes the position shown in Fig. 8 as the arm 26 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction. This movement continues until the two links are in alinement with each other at which time the extension 30 on the arm 26 is received in the recess 29 on the arm 25.` During the movement of the extensible slide member I it has carried with it the slide member I6 which is positioned between the slide members I5 and I1 and after the link reaches its extended position as shown in Fig. 8, any further extension or movement of the supporting box structure will cause the three slide members I5, I6 andl'l to move as a unit.

Upon the table being extended to its initial position as shown in Fig. 3, a gap will appear between the top sections 5 and 6, but the link has also straightened out at this point so that a movement together of the` top members will cause a sliding movement of the slide member I1 because of its connection to the top member 6. This motion will also carry with it the slide members I5 and I6' by reason of the link members and 26.

Ii it is desired that the table be still further extended, the two top sections should be separated at the center by placing the hands between the two sections at the points indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3. The outward movement of the top member 6 will carry with it the extensible slide member I1 which is then directly connected to the slide member I5 secured to the supporting box structure. At this point, then, the slide members I5, I6 and II, the link, the supporting box structure and the upper top section 6 will all move in unison so that there will be no relative movement between the supporting box structure and the table top. The two top sections may then be separated to the limit of the combined extensible slide members as shown in Fig. 9. In this particular embodiment of the invention it is possible to extend the table from its initial retracted position to a length which is substantially three times as long. As before explained, the lazy tongs 2I maintain at all times the supporting pedestal in the exact center of the table in any of its various extended positions.

From the above description it will be evident that the table to which has been applied our invention, will initially take up but a very small amount of space in a room and yet may be extended to any desired length to accommodate a great number of people. 'I'he invention is simple to operate and economical to manufacture.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one here explained, provided they come within the scope of the claims.

We, therefore,` particularly point out and distinctly claim, as our invention:

1. In a table, two groups of extensible slide members, upper and lower top sections, the lower top section being permanently secured to one slide member of each group and the upper top section being hingedly connected to an intermediate slide member of each group, a support-` ing box structure secured to still another slide member of each group and movable independently of said top sections in one direction to a predetermined initial extended position of the table, said upper top section adapted to be folded over and rest on said box structure in said extended position.

2. The combination of elements defined in claim 1, combined with a link connecting the slide member secured to said box structure with the slide member connected to the upper top section, whereby said box structure and upper top section will move together as a unit upon further extension of the parts beyond said initial extended position.

3. In a table, a. central supporting pedestal, a horizontal plate secured across the top of said pedestal, two groups of extensible slides secured to said plate, a top member secured to one end slide of said groups and a supporting box stmo- .ture secured to the other end slide of said groups, whereby said top member and box structure are movable toward or away from each other to retract or extend the table, and a second top member hingedly connected to one of the intermediate slide members of each group to lie over the rst top member when the table is retracted or to lie over the box structure when the table is extended.

4. The combination of elements defined in claim 3, combined with means connecting two of the slide members of one group to move said second top member simultaneously with said box structure beyond a predetermined extended position of the table.

5. 'Ihe combination of elements dened in claim 3, combined with a link comprising two arms, each connected to different slide members of the same group and to each other, whereby the arms will be locked in alinement when the table reaches a predetermined initial extended position and beyond which position said box structure and said second top member will be moved simultaneously.

6. In a table, two groups of extensible slides, a top member secured to one end of said groups, a second top member hingedly connected to an intermediate slide member of each group. a suD- porting box structure connected to the other end of saidgroups, and means so arranged that the box structure may be extended relative to both of said top sections a predetermined distance. but beyond said distance a further extension will carry the second top section with it.

'7. The combination of elements defined in claim 6, wherein said second top section will overlie the iirst top section when the slides are contracted, but may rest on said box structure when extended.

8. The combination of elements dened in claim 6, wherein said means includes a link comprising two arms, each connected to dierent slide members of the same group and to each other, whereby the arms will be locked in alinement when the table is extended to said predetermined distance.

ORRIN A. BARRETT. MANUEL LANGUIS. THURLOW E. McFAIL. 

